Following reports of abduction of 70 Christian Assyrians by Islamic State militants, it is suggested that the jihadists are planning to murder 150 hostages if the U.S. does not stop air strikes.
ISIS, yesterday, had seized two Assyrian communities from Kurdish forces, as the number of hostages rose from 70 to 150 Christians.
The dawn raids are said to have spread 'panic' in the villages, inhabited by the ancient Christian minority along the banks of the Khabur River near the town of Tel Hmar with most coming from the village of Tal Shamiram.
It is thought that the militants are holding the seized women and children in houses in the ISIS-held town of al-Shadadi and using them as human shields from air strikes.
Daily Mail reports that CNN says the terror group are now planning to release a video as early as today, where they will threaten to kill the hostages if air strikes don't stop.
Osama Edward, founder of the Assyrian Human Rights Network told the station that the video will be directed to US President, Barack Obama, and other members of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.
The video is expected to say that the hostages will be killed unless the strikes stop.
Meanwhile, it has also been reported that at least 500 families escaped the attack and fled to a nearby church in Hasakah city, where they found refuge.
Mr Edward told the IBTimesUK: 'We're involved, many of them are friends and relatives. I'm trying not to get involved and be as objctive and accurate as possible without surrender to personal feelings.'
The kidnappings come as ISIS released a video showing militants beheading 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya earlier this month.
The United States has condemned the attack on the Assyrian Christians and demanded their immediate release. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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